A BARNTON man has hailed the village’s Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) as “a godsend”.

Despite problems with unruly youths in the area, father-of-one Thomas Stott says PCSO Diana Wiggins could not be doing more for residents.

“She’s doing a brilliant job – she’s been an absolute godsend to this community and everyone in it,” said Thomas, 32.

The role of PCSOs has often been scrutinised by taxpayers, but Thomas says people in Barnton should be delighted they have Diana walking the beat.

He said: “She’s always liaising with the residents, and she’s always patrolling the area.

“Whatever anyone says high visibility patrols do work. It makes these young thugs think twice about committing crimes if they see an officer.

“I don’t care what anyone says about the cost of PCSOs – that woman is worth every penny that is spent on employing her.”

And Northwich’s top cop, Insp Pete Minghella, agrees. He told the Chronicle Diana “is making real headway in addressing anti-social behaviour” in the village.

Diana, who has been PCSO for Barnton for 14 months, said: “A lot of what we do is reassurance and calling in on people, knocking on doors. We’re the first point of contacts for the residents and we’re a link between them and the police.

“It is rewarding, what we do. And when people say things like that it makes it worthwhile.”